With Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month in June, it’s a good time to heighten awareness about preventable health problems among men and boys and encourage early detection and treatment of disease. Dr. Joseph Williams of Kings County Hospital Center offers some guidelines for a healthy lifestyle.

Eat healthy – Have many different types of foods to get the vitamins and minerals you need. Add at least one fruit and vegetable to every meal. Stop eating when you are full.

Get moving – Play a sport. Play with your kids or grandkids. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk. If you take the train or bus, walk one or two extra stops before getting on, and get off one or two stops early going home.

Make prevention a priority – Many health conditions and diseases can be detected early or prevented with regular checkups from your healthcare provider. Checkups and screenings should include:

Regular checkup

Periodic blood tests for diabetes and cholesterol

Screening for high blood pressure (hypertension)

Colonoscopy – If you are 50+

Know your HIV status

Get tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) if you are at risk

Practice safe sex

Zero tolerance for violence – If you are being bullied, abused or sexually abused, get help. If you are a child or teenager, tell a grownup. If you are an adult, seek help from your healthcare provider and law enforcement officials.

To find an HHC hospital or health center near you, call 311 or go to www.nyc.gov/hhc.